www.ccac.ca
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This training module is relevant to all animal users working
with farm animals used in biomedical research
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This module covers the following farm animals:
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dairy and beef cattle
sheep
goats
swine
poultry
horses
farmed wildlife
Photo courtesy of Animal Resources Centre,
University of Saskatchewan
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Provide an overview of the special care requirements of
farm animals in biomedical research
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Explain the important considerations relating to the
selection of appropriate farm animal models
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Provide investigators with references and resources for
the use of farm animals in biomedical research
Basic principles of farm animal welfare, fundamental needs, acquisition, routine handling
and specialized procedures and termination of scientific use are covered in the
CCAC training module on: the ethical use and care of farm animals in science (2010)
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Farm animals in biomedical research
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Special challenges and considerations related to using
farm animals in biomedical research
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Animal model selection
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Meeting animal needs
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Facility and disease control considerations
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Example of biomedical applications: medical devices
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The purpose of using farm animals in biomedical research
is to address questions concerning human health
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Many applications exist, e.g.,:
 neurological research
 development and testing of
pharmaceuticals and medical
devices
 reconstructive surgery research
 medical education
Fertilized eggs are used in vaccine development
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Swine
e.g., skin grafts or skin testing, reconstructive surgery
Calves
e.g., ventricular assist devices
Photo courtesy of
UBC Animal Welfare Program
Chickens
e.g., production of antibodies in eggs
Sheep
e.g., examining perinatal and neonatal development
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• Agricultural performance and scientific biomedical
outcomes may have no relation
• Animal selection and management must be flexible,
and made on a case-by-case basis
Goal:
Good animal
welfare
+
Scientifically
relevant
outcomes
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Replacement
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Is it possible to use non-animal models?
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What is the minimum number of animals
needed in order to achieve statistically
relevant results?
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Have replacement and reduction
alternatives been considered?
Are pain and distress minimized as
much as possible?
Reduction
Refinement
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See the CCAC training module on: the Three Rs of humane animal
experimentation (2003) and the CCAC Three Rs microsite at
www.ccac.ca/en/alternatives for further information on the topic of the Three Rs
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Sentience
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Lifespan
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Availability in captivity
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Tolerance to humans
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Husbandry and housing requirements
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Availability of information (anatomy, physiology, behaviour)
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Suitability to research objectives and experimental conditions
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Applicability of resulting data to human physiology
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Farm animals models are very different from rodent models
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The involvement of a veterinarian is critical in all aspects of
biomedical research planning and implementation
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Animal care personnel must
receive appropriate training in
the care and handling of the
specific species being used
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Consider growth and life stage in relation to study
requirements
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Adult human models
 need for physiological, anatomical or biochemical criteria
match
 issues: maturity, size, long-term studies difficult
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Pediatric models
 shorter time course to adulthood
 useful for answering questions in
research timeframe
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Genetic variability
 farm animals have greater genetic variability than
conventional laboratory animals
 increased variability in treatment response, may require
increased number of animals for scientific significance
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Animal acquisition
 similar requirements to conventional research animals
 additional regulations in some cases
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Understanding the social and behavioural needs of
animals is necessary in order to choose an appropriate
farm animal model:
 experimental design should address the infrastructure
needed to meet animal needs
 exercise should be provided every 7 days (minimum)
 animals should be habituated to handling before study
commencement
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Species-specific husbandry
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Sanitation and hygiene program to address animal and
human health issues
 dedicated equipment
 medical management according to
standard veterinary practices
 necropsy facilities address
zoo sanitary issues
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Zoonoses infection control
 Potential exposure risks are higher
than in rodent models
 particularly important for “cross-over”
agents
Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada
Staff must be informed about the
possible routes of disease
transmission and exposure, and
trained in the use of protective
equipment, medical interventions
and safety procedures that are to be
used to manage the hazard
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Two types of devices:
 external: may require animal restraint and confinement
 internal: require on-going short and long-term assessment
strategies
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Their size makes farm animals good candidates for testing
medical devices, e.g.,:
 ventricular assist devices
(cardiovascular research)
 bone implants
(endosseous research)
 implanted cerebral stimulators
(neural research)
Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada
Induction of anesthesia with a face mask
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How do in vivo medical devices impact the animal?
Effect of
device
(e.g., failure)
Device
deployment
(e.g., placement
inside animal)
Device-patient
interfaces
(e.g., communication
with device)
Performance
instrumentation
Animal
Welfare
(e.g., collecting data)
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Prior to in vivo, test in vitro to ensure intended use is
appropriate for target species
 devices must be designed in the context
of intended use and the target species
 non-survival, anesthetized, pain-medicated
animal could be used during design
refinement
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The testing of medical devices requires
careful attention to:
 potential welfare impacts
 special care
 endpoint determination
Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada
Fully instrumented domestic swine
model
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Protocol should include:
 device performance reliability
 biocompatibility
 device failure and repair strategies
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Endpoints should:
 balance the scientific goals and animal welfare
 detail the procedures needed to handle device failure
and malfunction
See the CCAC guidelines on: choosing an appropriate endpoint in experiments using
animals for research, teaching and testing (1998) and the CCAC training module on:
pain, distress and endpoints (2010) for further information
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Farm animals are useful in some biomedical research,
as long as the correct model is used
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Careful consideration must be given to:
 balancing animal needs and achieving scientific goals
 understanding animal welfare impacts of the specific
biomedical research conducted
Investigators should strive to achieve their scientific goals in
line with the best possible animal welfare standards
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